Viewpoints
An Uninvited Houseguest
By Kim Butler
October 04, 2006
Monday
It's the beginning of October in south eastern Pennsylvania and
the weather is just starting to change. The nights are much cooler
and the time for nesting will soon be settling in. However, in
the Philadelphia area tree hollows and old barns are few and
far between. So sometimes, I've learned the hard way, an animal
just may decided to "nest and settle-in" inside your
home.
It all started the other night while I was lying in bed reading
a good book. I heard a noise. Simple as that, a noise with no
threats or worries. At first, I didn't give the infamous scratching
and ruffling too much mind. It is fall after all and my windows
were open. When the noise continued and grew with intensity,
I decided enough was enough so, I went to investigate. I only
had on my reading lamp at my bedside table, so I got up to turn
on the larger lamp in my bedroom. Before I even had both feet
on the floor, something dark and fuzzy peeking out of the drop
ceiling in my bedroom caught my eye. Too scared to walk across
the room (I was afraid that the bat-like creature would jump
on me) I opted to grab the flashlight next to me instead and
stood on my bed for a close look. To my horror, there was a flying
squirrel watching me! I flashed the light in its eyes and, as
best I could without panicking, tried to shoo the creature away.
Nothing I did worked. My fear grew when the uninvited house guest
decided to jump to the floor! I almost passed out with anxiety
when I saw the animal swoop in the air and then scurry through
my room! He was so bold and certainly not afraid of me! At this
point, my roommate hears my screams for help and comes to my
rescue. He got me safely out of the room and locked himself in
to see if he could scoop the animal into a net. Would you believe
he never got it! I "slept" downstairs on the couch
that night and listened to my new "roommate" run around
my room and in the walls. I didn't get much rest however because
all I could think about was what was going on up there.
To date, I've learned the animal
is a flying squirrel and he has not yet been captured. He's still
out on the prowl and seems to find my house the best playground
on the block. I have 3 humane traps set out with the hopes of
luring him into a snack of bread and peanut butter, at which
point I will safely transport him to the woods 20 miles away.
Wish me luck!
Kim Butler
Norristown, PA - USA
Received October 03, 2006 - Published October 04, 2006
About: "I'm a regular Philadelpia area girl. I enjoy nature
and life outdoors. However, I have no expertise in the area...just
my own "close encounter of the squirrel kind""
Related Story:
Close Encounters of the Squirrel Kind - Rarely seen but as abundant as red
squirrels in Alaska are the Northern Flying Squirrels. And according
to a story told by Ketchikan resident Kathy Stack, it appears
that she had 'close encounters of the squirrel kind' with several
of these creatures. - More...
September 20, 2003
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